Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Under-19 cricket team will today take a rest as newly crowned Asia Under-19 cricket champions Pa-kistan clash with Afghanistan in the second match of the tri-series Youth ODI series at Harare Sports Club in Harare.
The hosts will need to take notes on how to improve their game after a poor batting display in the opening match of the series against Afghanistan that was abandoned due to persistent rain on Christmas Day.
Having been bowled out for 90 in just 22.2 overs before rain forced the termination of the match, Elton Chigumbura’s schoolboys will be hoping to come back stronger when they face the Pakistanis at Prince Edward School on Monday.
Pakistan Under-19s arrived in the country this week with high pedigree after their latest exploits in the most re-cent continental youth cricket tournament hosted by Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates.
The Pakistanis clinched the eight-team ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai after defeating India by 191 runs in the final in Dubai last Saturday.
The side will play a minimum of four matches in the 50-over tri-series, which is being used as critical preparation for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup to be hosted in Zimbabwe and Namibia in under three weeks.
Pakistan held their first training session in Harare yesterday ahead of their first match and their captain, Farhan Yousaf told the Pakistan Cricket Board Digital media that his team is aiming to maintain the momentum after winning the Under-19 Asia Cup.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity. The players are confident and excited as we head into the tri-series.
“The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup. The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations.
“Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event,” said Yousaf.
They will face Zimbabwe at the Prince Edward School on Monday, followed by their second encounter against Af-ghanistan at the Sunrise Sports Club on January 2.
Pakistan will then take on the hosts again on January 4. The top two teams of the tri-series tournament will con-test the final on January 6.
The tri-series provides a valuable opportunity for all three sides to prepare for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to be played in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6.
The Super Six stage will take place from January 25 to February 1, followed by the semi-finals on February 3 and 4. The final of the 16-team tournament will be played at the Harare Sports Club on February 6.
